Feeling blue? Take action

Depression may be something you’re tempted to ignore or something you try to explain away. Lots of people do.

In fact, experts estimate that fewer than half of all people who have depression actually seek treatment. There are many reasons why.

Some think depression is just a personal weakness that affects other people. It’s not.

Depression is actually one of the most common forms of mental illness. It can strike people of both genders, at any age, and of every racial and ethnic background.

Others don’t think depression is important enough to address. It is.

Depression is a serious medical illness that can complicate other health issues. It can even lead to suicide.

Fortunately, depression—even serious depression—can be helped. In fact, experts say more than 80 percent of clinical depression cases can be effectively treated.

The most common remedies involve medication and talking with a mental health professional.

As with many illnesses, it’s best to treat depression early on. So don’t hesitate. If you think you may be depressed, talk to your doctor. An examination can help determine if you have depression or some other medical condition with similar symptoms.